Poetic Edda - Cottle Trans.
XIV.
The sons of (10) Halfden round him spread
Their shields when youthful vigor fled.
In youth with retribution due,
He in battle Sigtryg slew.
Twice nine brave Sons the monarch told,
From Almveig sprung, renown'd of old.
XV.
Skilvingi, Skiöldungi too,
Hence their natal honors drew.
To fires like these, Ynglingi trace,
The blood of their illustrious race.
Nobles and princes down this line,
In long descent unbroken shine.
Such ancestry can Ottar boast,
Till far in fabled ages lost.
XVI.
Hilldegunda was the dame
Whence beauteous Almveig sprung to fame.
In Suava's arms, of chaste desire,
A regal Sailor was her sire:
Such ancestry can Ottar boast,
Till far in fabled ages lost.
Let Ottar glory in his race!
Shall we other heroes trace?
XVII.
Dager beauteous Thora led ---
Source of heroes --- to his bed.
Thence a race of warriors came,
High enroll'd in deathless fame:
Frodmar and Gyrder, brave as wise,
And hence the (11) wolfish brethren rise.
Josurmar here, and Aunner too,
And aged Alf their being drew.
Let Ottar glory in his race!
Shall we other heroes trace?
XVIII.
The praise of heroes I resound!
Of Ketill, ever faithful found.
Klyp illustrious was his heir ---
Grandsire called to Friant fair.
Ketill was brave Froder's son;
From Kari he his race begun:
But Alf, with time-thin'd locks, was grey
Ere these beheld the light of day.
XIX.
(12) Nanna's beauties grace his stock,
Descended from illustrious Nock.
With her parent, Alf could claim
The honors of a kindred name.
But, lost in time, in vain I trace
The antique honors of the race.
Other heroes now I tell ---
I knew Brod and Horver well.
Such ancestry can Ottar boast,
Till far in fabled ages lost!
XX.
Isol and Asol equal share,
Aulmoder's paternal care:
In cheerfulhalls he spent his life;
Skurkilld was the hero's wife.
Chiefs and Princes down this line,
In long descent unbroken shine.
Such ancestry can Ottar boast,
Till far in fabled ages lost!
XXI.
In rolls of fame (13) ten heroes shine,
Sprung from Arngrim's glorious line.
Such ancestry can Ottar boast,
Till far in fabled ages lost!
XXII.
As trees that feel the mountain blast,
Their strength'ned roots more widely cast;
So nurs'd in storms, those heroes grew,
And thence unconquer'd brav'ry drew.
Torrents with impetuous sway,
Sweep the prostrate folds away:
Autumnal flames with whirlwind force,
Dispeople forests in their course:
Berserki thus, thro' regions wide,
Scatter'd desolation's tide.
Such ancestry can Ottar boast,
Till far in fabled ages lost!
XXIII.
Other heroes now I tell ---
I knew Brod and Horver well.
In halls of Rhalf, with dance and song,
Their youthful moments pass'd along.
These, with Jormuker, kindred hold ---
Son-in-law of Sigurd bold.
Hear me, Hyndla! now relate,
Fafner born to hapless fate.
I the hero knew full well ---
Beset with cruel bands he fell.
XXIV.
He a regal office bore,
From (14) Vaulsung sprung in days of yore.
(15) Hiördisa I can trace
From Herodunger's giant race,
(16) Elymi on his father's side,
Came from Odlingi's valiant tribe.
Such ancestry can Ottar boast,
Till far in fabled ages lost!
XXV.
Gunmarr and Hogni both may claim,
From Guiker their paternal fame.
Gudruna too, a father's love,
Did from the hoary chieftain prove.
Guttormer, from a diff'rent source,
Dates his not ignoble course:
His sire the same --- but to his bed,
A foreign damsel he had led.
Such ancestry can Ottar boast,
Till far in fabled ages lost!
XXVI.
Harald known by teeth of gold,
Sprung from Hræreker of old.
Hræreker was Odar's son:
From Juar Oda's fame begun.
To Radbard, Randver was the sire ---
Youth of ev'ry maids desire.
These with heroes were enroll'd,
Whose deeds delighted Gods behold.
Such ancestry can Ottar boast,
Till far in fabled ages lost!
XXVII.
Eleven Asi heroes rose,
Ere Balder's spirit found repose.
Witness of his daring wrong,
With indignation Vali strong,
Swift his sword vindictive drew,
And brother for lost brother slew.
Such ancestry can Ottar boast,
Till far in fabled ages lost!
XXVIII.
From Bur, the sire of Balder came,
A chieftain of no trivial fame.
Freyer's bed did Gerda grace,
From Gimer sprung, of giant race:
Her mother, Orbod, mortals call,
Fam'd for her hospitable hall.
Thiaz, magnificent and good,
Derives from her his kindred blood.
From him a lovely virgin came ---
Skada, among the Gods her name.
Notes:
10. Halfden. --- A King of Norway, of whom very little is known, except that he carried his arms far into the East, and slew Sigtryg in single combat. [Back]
11. "Wolfish brethren." --- Gerr and Freker; these were, most likely, heroes, who for certain qualities, were denominated wolves. [Back]
12. Nanna, --- Was the mother of Alf. [Back]
13. "Ten heroes." --- Their names are Gunnarr, Grimer, Thorer, Ulf, Bui, Brami, Barri, Reifner, Tinder, and Tifringer. [Back]
14. Vaulsung. --- Was the paternal grandfather of Sigurd. [Back]
15. Hiördisa. --- Was the mother of Sigurd, descended from Halfdan. [Back]
16. Elymi. --- Was the father of Hiordisa, descended from the family of the Lofdungi. [Back]
<< Previous Page Next Page >>
© 2004-2007 Northvegr.
Most of the material on this site is in the public domain. However, many people have worked very hard to bring these texts to you so if you do use the work, we would appreciate it if you could give credit to both the Northvegr site and to the individuals who worked to bring you these texts. A small number of texts are copyrighted and cannot be used without the author's permission. Any text that is copyrighted will have a clear notation of such on the main index page for that text. Inquiries can be sent to info@northvegr.org. Northvegr™ and the Northvegr symbol are trademarks and service marks of the Northvegr Foundation.
|